Since 1947 the Music Academy of the West has fostered a uniquely joyful engagement with music. Each June 140 gifted young classical singers and instrumentalists, selected entirely for their talent, gather for eight weeks in Santa Barbara to study and make music with illustrious guest artists, conductors, and faculty – all to the delight of participating audiences. We invite you to take part in the incomparable Music Academy Summer Festival. Half of all festival events can be attended free of charge.
2009 Summer Festival Highlights
Sunday, 5 July
7:30 pm, Lobero Theatre
Academy Chamber Orchestra
Larry Rachleff, conductor
Christopher Taylor, piano
Varèse: Intégrales
Messiaen: Oiseaux
exotiques
Mozart: Piano Concerto in C Major, K. 467
Last
summer, pianist Christopher Taylor gave Hahn Hall's inaugural recital, a
breathtaking, two-hour performance of Messiaen's Vingt Regards hailed by Los
Angeles Times music critic Mark Swed as an "almost mystical experience."
This summer, he will perform as a soloist with Academy wind and percussion
Fellows in Messiaen's vibrant Oiseaux
exotiques, and with the Academy Chamber Orchestra in Mozart's hauntingly
beautiful C Major piano concerto.
Reserved seating: $45, includes Lobero facility fee
TICKETS
Saturday, 18 July
8 pm, The granada
Academy Festival Orchestra
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Mahler:
Symphony No. 7 in E Minor
Toronto Symphony Orchestra Music Director Peter Oundjian is a
major presence in the orchestral world. His probing musicality, collaborative
spirit, and engaging personality have earned him accolades and continuing
relationships with many international ensembles. Following the thrilling
performance of Mahler's epic third symphony last August, Maestro Oundjian
returns to lead the Academy Festival Orchestra in one of his favorite Mahler
symphonies, the mysterious and powerful seventh.
Reserved seating: $45, $30, and $10, including Granada facility fees
TICKETS
Saturday, 25 July
9:30 am, Lobero Theatre
Concerto Night Open Dress Rehearsal
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
The Academy Festival Orchestra and
soloists prepare for performances of single movements from several concerti. See below for details.
Reserved seating: $23, includes Lobero facility fee
TICKETS
Saturday, 25 July
8 pm, Lobero Theatre
Academy Festival Orchestra: Concerto Night
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
One
of the most exciting emerging talents on the musical stage today, Alexander
Mickelthwate serves as music director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and is
active as a guest conductor in North America and Europe.
In August 2007 he concluded a three-year tenure as associate conductor of the
Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Los Angeles
Times has commended his fearless approach and first-rate technique. Maestro
Mickelthwate will conduct the Academy Festival Orchestra and the talented
winners of our 2009 Concerto Competition. The Concerto Night program will be
announced on July 13.
Reserved seating: $51, includes Lobero facility fee
TICKETS
Friday, 7 August
2009 Opera Production
7:30 pm, Lobero Theatre
George Manahan, conductor
Casey Stangl, director
Thomas: Mignon
A
personal favorite of Marilyn Horne, who performed the title role early in her
career, Mignon is a charming and
melodious opera in the French Romantic style. Based on Goethe's Wilhelm Meister, it was first performed
in Paris
in 1866. Regarded as Thomas' masterpiece, Mignon
is filled with graceful music – most notably the lovely aria
"Connais-tu le
pays?" The Music Academy's fully staged production will
feature Simone Osborne, first-prize winner at
the 2008 Marilyn Horne Foundation Vocal Competition. We welcome the
return of Maestro George Manahan, music director of the New York City
Opera, and Casey
Stangl, who directed our 2007 production of La
Bohème. Repeats August 9 at 2:30 pm. Mignon is the 2009 Irene Cummings Endowed Opera at the Music Academy of the West.
Reserved Seating: $68
/ $48, includes Lobero facility fee
TICKETS
Saturday, 8 August
8 pm, First Presbyterian Church
A Baroque Evening with the Academy Chamber Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Rameau:
Naïs Suite
Bach:
Brandenburg
Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048
Purcell:
Abdelazar, Z 570 "Moor's Revenge" Suite
Handel:
Water Music Suites in D Major and G Major
Nicholas
McGegan has captivated players and audiences alike with his irrepressible
enthusiasm. "An acclaimed expert in 18th century style" (The New Yorker), McGegan, who is music
director of San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, is called upon by
symphony orchestras across the globe to conduct not only the music of Handel,
Haydn, and Mozart, but also Beethoven, Schubert, and Mendelssohn.
Unreserved Seating: $45
TICKETS
Sunday, 9 August
2009 Opera Production
2:30 pm, Lobero Theatre
George Manahan, conductor
Casey Stangl, director
Thomas: Mignon
A
personal favorite of Marilyn Horne, who performed the title role early in her
career, Mignon is a charming and
melodious opera in the French Romantic style. Based on Goethe's Wilhelm Meister, it was first performed
in Paris
in 1866. Regarded as Thomas' masterpiece, Mignon
is filled with graceful music – most notably the lovely aria
"Connais-tu le
pays?" The Music Academy's fully staged production will
feature Simone Osborne, first-prize winner at
the 2008 Marilyn Horne Foundation Vocal Competition. We welcome the
return of Maestro George Manahan, music director of the New York City
Opera, and Casey
Stangl, who directed our 2007 production of La
Bohème. Mignon is the 2009 Irene Cummings Endowed Opera at the Music Academy of the West.
Reserved Seating: $68
/ $48, includes Lobero facility fee
TICKETS
Saturday, 15 August
8 pm, The Granada
Academy Festival Orchestra
Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Britten:
Sinfonia da Requiem, op. 20
Copland:
A Lincoln
Portrait
Tchaikovsky:
Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, op. 36
The
internationally
renowned conductor Leonard Slatkin is music director of the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra. From 1979 to 1996 he served as music
director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. This Southern California
native has been hailed for imaginative programming, and his
interpretations of both the standard and contemporary symphonic
repertoire have
garnered high praise from critics and audiences alike.
Reserved seating: $45, $30, and $10, including Granada facility fees
TICKETS
